except during

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except during" is correct in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that does not happen at a certain time, or in an exception to a general rule. For example: "We offer free shipping on all orders, except during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most of this hydrographic system is dry (Fig. 2), except during snowmelt or following exceptional rainfall.

Applied Water Science

Except during blackouts.

The New York Times

Larval feeding is continuous except during molts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Closed Sunday, except during Pilgrimage.

The New York Times - Travel

Except during the Olympics, that is.

The New York Times - Sports

They haven't been apart since that kiss — except during college.

The New York Times

every year since then, except during the Second World War.

The New Yorker

Cocaine is not specifically banned except during competition in cycling.

The New York Times - Sports

(Except during the World Cup, when we do).

The New Yorker

Except during illness, you should exercise nearly every day.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

No IRS employee was excepted during the shutdown to release or withdraw liens or release levies.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except during", ensure the context clearly defines the time or event that serves as the exception. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands when the rule or statement does not apply.

Common error

Avoid using "except during" when a simpler phrase like "not during" or "outside of" would be clearer. Overusing "except during" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted, especially in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except during" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a time or event when a rule or condition does not apply. It is commonly used to specify when something is not the case.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except during" serves as a prepositional phrase used to introduce exceptions to general statements, particularly concerning time or specific events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its frequent usage across various contexts, from News & Media to Academia, underscores its versatility, but clarity should be maintained by avoiding overuse in favor of simpler alternatives when appropriate. Understanding its function and register allows for effective and precise communication. With its frequent use, "except during" is a helpful tool in creating clear boundaries and specifying exceptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excluding during

Replaces "except" with "excluding", focusing on the act of leaving something out.

apart from during

Uses "apart from" to indicate an exception related to a specific period.

with the exception of during

More formal and emphasizes the exceptional nature of the specified time.

save for during

An older, slightly more literary way of saying "except during".

but not during

More straightforward and direct, emphasizing the exclusion.

other than during

Similar to "apart from", indicating something is different during a certain time.

outside of during

Focuses on the time frame that falls outside the specified period.

not including during

Explicitly states that a certain period is not included.

exclusive of during

A more formal way of saying "not including".

with the omission of during

Emphasizes the act of omitting a specific time period.

FAQs

How can I use "except during" in a sentence?

Use "except during" to indicate a specific time or event when a general rule or statement does not apply. For example, "The library is open every day, "except during" national holidays".

What are some alternatives to "except during"?

You can use phrases like "excluding during", "apart from during", or "with the exception of during" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to use "except for" or "except during"?

"Except for" is generally used for nouns or noun phrases, while ""except during"" is used to specify a time or event. For example, "All classes are mandatory except for electives" (except for) vs. "The museum is open daily, "except during" the winter holidays" ("except during").

What does "except during" mean?

"Except during" indicates an occasion that the premise of the sentence is not true. It introduces a specific time frame or event that is an exception to a general statement.